Oxbridge: state schools vs independents

I go to a state 'community college' where I have had 0 I input for my application to Oxford (to study PPE), including admissions test prep help. All I seem to hear is the incredible specialist tutoring and guidance that independent students receive. I wanted the opinions of both state school goers and independent students to see whether my college is particularly bad, or if this is a recurring pattern.
Thanks guys!

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Reply 1

alow

19

Original post by ffionm

I go to a state 'community college' where I have had 0 I input for my application to Oxford (to study PPE), including admissions test prep help. All I seem to hear is the incredible specialist tutoring and guidance that independent students receive. I wanted the opinions of both state school goers and independent students to see whether my college is particularly bad, or if this is a recurring pattern.
Thanks guys!

Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm applying to Cambridge (for Natural Sciences) and I haven't had any help with my application. The state college I go to is always in the top 20 in the country for non-selectives too, so I think your experience is probably typical.

Reply 2

Rob da Mop

15

I'm at Cambridge and went to a state college. I had some guidance with writing a PS and a practice interview, but then anyone applying to uni was able to get some help with their PS.

Reply 3

Bloxorus

16

My cousin goes to a private school and he gets lots of help with his personal statement and even coaching for the interviews for Oxbridge.

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Reply 4

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

I went to a state secondary school and we were given a fair bit of advice but it was all the wrong advice :s-smilie:

Fortunately my school was **** enough to be under what was then known as the Oxford Access Scheme, so I had mock interviews and personal statement help from actual Oxford students. Complete godsend, given who was in charge of my applications :s-smilie:

It's worth emphasising that although private schools and some grammar schools get much more help and prep and coaching, interviewers are aware of this and take this into consideration :yes:

Reply 5

Colmans

11

Original post by ffionm

I go to a state 'community college' where I have had 0 I input for my application to Oxford (to study PPE), including admissions test prep help. All I seem to hear is the incredible specialist tutoring and guidance that independent students receive. I wanted the opinions of both state school goers and independent students to see whether my college is particularly bad, or if this is a recurring pattern.
Thanks guys!

Posted from TSR Mobile

I think it is a myth that all independent schools get lots of coaching and an even bigger myth that it helps much. Private schools peddle different myths (you must have 90% in every module, you must have straight A*, we can't let you apply because you might spoil the school's reputation, applying PQA gives you a better chance and so on).

What I think does help private schools is that the ones that send lots to Oxbridge are highly selective so instead of being the brightest handful in your year you are surrounded by lots of other bright students. This tends to mean that you work harder if you want to do well, the pace of work is faster and your lessons have often gone beyond the syllabus. Of course this applies to state grammars, who also do well.

Cambridge's own research shows that degree success is not affected by school background which suggests they are pretty blind to social confidence and quite good at spotting real ability. They have a much more data and exam result focused admission process than most people realise-the interviews are not the major part of the application.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 6

nexttime

22

Original post by ffionm

I go to a state 'community college' where I have had 0 I input for my application to Oxford (to study PPE), including admissions test prep help. All I seem to hear is the incredible specialist tutoring and guidance that independent students receive. I wanted the opinions of both state school goers and independent students to see whether my college is particularly bad, or if this is a recurring pattern.
Thanks guys!

Posted from TSR Mobile

That's normal for a state comp.

Reply 7

Octohedral

16

I went to a lower end independent school and am at Oxford.

I got more help with my application than that, but I certainly didn't get in depth tutoring (though I'm sure a lot of private schools do). I had the same help as a normal application, plus advice on timings like entry for the entrance exams plus one mock interview (no preparation or coaching). I would imagine this is the same as a very good state school.

(Btw, to clarify, I didn't mean in any way to sound like I was complaining about it - I'm just stating the facts to help your statistical analysis. :smile:

)

Edit: To be more helpful, whilst it's not fair you aren't getting the support, there are a few things you can do yourself. I recommend;

- Contacting an Oxford college and asking if any student could give you advice. All colleges are keen to widen access, and will send an e-mail around the students, one of whom is likely to be happy to mentor you.
- Finding past admissions papers on the internet and doing as many as possible. Not as helpful for PPE as, say, maths, but you could always practice a-level / AEA questions for the essay parts. I'm sure some teacher would be happy to mark them if you ask nicely. AEA past papers are good practice too.
- Asking a teacher to contact some local universities and see if you can get a mock interview. Or to do one themselves. There are lots of past interview questions on the internet.

This relies heavily on the good will of other people, but most people are willing to help someone in your situation if you lay the groundwork for them.

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 8

x__justmyluck

12

I'm at Oxford and I'm the first person from my 6th form college to go to Oxbridge. I was actually attending college whilst applying as my son was born prematurely and in intensive care. If you're good enough you'll get in, private schools can't coach independent thoughts into you.

Reply 9

natninja

21

I'm at Oxford and my school gave me very little help for my application. I had a short practice interview with my teacher, which I requested and that was about it. Though you could pay for a professional interview coaching session. I went to a good independent school.

Reply 10

LilyElise

9

I go to a pretty poor state comp that has sent only 3 people to oxbridge, and I'm the only one applying in my year. I'm very lucky to have found a supportive and helpful teacher, who has given me a practise interview. I think its about trying to find the help you need- if you go to a state school your teachers should be pushing you - it makes their school look good! Its definitly harder to find help in a state school as many teachers have misconceptions about the application process and the school simply doesn't have the time or resources that private schools do.

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Reply 11

bokonist

7

I go to an (academically not great) independent school, and though I was give some help with my application - it was actually really unhelpful! Everyone was trying to scare me and give me trick questions... I was even advised not to apply by the head of sixth form because 'You do know that Cambridge is very competitive don't you?'

I believe that it was in spite of this 'help', not because of it, that I now have an offer!

Reply 12

alow

19

Original post by bokonist

I go to an (academically not great) independent school, and though I was give some help with my application - it was actually really unhelpful! Everyone was trying to scare me and give me trick questions... I was even advised not to apply by the head of sixth form because 'You do know that Cambridge is very competitive don't you?'

I believe that it was in spite of this 'help', not because of it, that I now have an offer!

That is disgraceful!

Reply 13

bokonist

7

Original post by alow

That is disgraceful!

He's been a complete plonker throughout the application process!

Especially when I was going in to it, probably as the most prepared person - I knew more about it then him!

Reply 14

alow

19

Original post by bokonist

He's been a complete plonker throughout the application process!

Especially when I was going in to it, probably as the most prepared person - I knew more about it then him!

I mean at the state school I went to I didn't get any help but they didn't actively discourage it!

He sounds terrible, congrats on getting an offer whilst having to deal with that!

Reply 15

bokonist

7

Original post by alow

I mean at the state school I went to I didn't get any help but they didn't actively discourage it!

He sounds terrible, congrats on getting an offer whilst having to deal with that!

Thanks

Yeah from what I've heard my friends at state schools got a lot more encouragement than I did!

Oxbridge: state schools vs independents

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